Key case



Jan. l, 1952 J, E, RCM 2,580,600

KEY CASE Filed Dec. 29, 1949 f* YES@ 1N VEN TUR. E56/@ Fw.

Patented Jan. 1, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved key container and selector mechanism of the type comprising a case adapted to hold several keys and to permit any one of the latter to be selectively swung from the case to an operative or useful position.

An important object of the present invention is to provide an improved simplified key container and selector mechanism of the foregoing character comprising a plurality of parallel plates arranged in superimposed relation and adapted to contain one or more keys in swinging relation between the plates, whereby the keys may be swung outward from between the plates to the operative position, the keys being selectively retained between the plates by one or more sliding members adapted to slide along edge portions of the plates to and from positions blocking the outward swinging of the keys.

Other objects are to provide such a mechanism whereby the parallel plates are maintained in spaced relation by pivot members upon which the keys are detachably mounted for the aforesaid swinging relation, and whereby the sliding members engage the edge portions of the outer plates in sliding relation to prevent separation thereof, the sliding members being detachable from the plates in a preferred construction to permit separation of the plates and replacement of keys therebetween.

Another and more specific object of the present invention is to provide a laminated key case of the foregoing nature comprising three parallel plates adapted to contain two keys in swinging relation between each of the two pairs of plates, the keys being pivotal about axes spaced longitudinally of the case for swinging the operating portions of the keys between each pair of plates inward in lapping relation from opposed lateral edges of the case, or laterally outward in opposite directions to said operating positions, a sliding selector member being provided to slide along each of the opposed lateral edges of the case to and from positions blocking the outward swinging of the keys.

In a preferred construction, each of the longitudinally spaced pivot axes for the keys between each pair of plates is coaxial with one of each of the pivot axes for the keys between the other pair of plates, and a stop is located intermediate the spaced pivot axes to limit inward swinging of the keys. Preferably in this construction, the

keys of each coaxially swinging pair are arranged to swing inward into engagement with their respective stops from opposed lateral edges of the case. Thus two of the four keys may be swung laterally outward from one lateral edge of the case, one key being swingable about one longitudinally spaced axis from between one pair of plates and the other key being swingable about the other axis from between the other pair of plates. The remaining two keys of course are similarly arranged for swinging outward from the other lateral edge of the case.

The case is adapted so that either sliding member may be slid in either direction longitudinally of the case along the corresponding lateral edge, so as to free one key for outward swinging about its axis, but not to free the other key. Accordingly, by properly adjusting the sliding members, all of the keys may be retained within the case, or any one of the four keys may be selectively freed for outward swinging to the operative position. In order to facilitate orientation and use of the case in the dark, an end of onef outer plate is preferably knurled or suitably marked to permit identification by touch.

Other objects of this invention will appear in the following description and appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Details of a preferred construction and application of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings wherein:

Fig. l is an enlarged plan view of a key case embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal mid-section taken in the direction of the arrows substantially along the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an exploded view showing the component parts of the key case in side elevation with the keys removed.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged transverse section taken in the direction of the arrows substantially along the line 4--4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section taken in the direction of the arrows substantially along the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, showing a preferred arrangement of the keys between one pair of the key case plates.

Fig. 6 is a section taken in the direction of the arrows substantially along the line 6 6 of Fig. 2, showing a preferred arrangement of the keys between the other pair of plates.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring to the drawings, a laminated key case is shown comprising in the present instance three parallel plate members I0, i2 and I4 arranged in spaced superimposed relation with parallel superimposed lateral edges comprising the opposed lateral edges of the case. In the present instance, the plates are maintained in spaced parallel relation by three pairs of interengaging retaining or spacer members spaced along the longitudinal mid-line of the case.v

Each pair of retaining members includes a cylindrcal socket member I6, integral with the Vouter plate member I4 and extending inward therefrom, and a cylindrical boss I8 integral with the outer plate I and extending inward therefrom. Extending coaxially inward from each boss I8 and integral therewith is a pintle 29 of reduced diameter adapted to pass snugly through an aligned opening 22 provided therefor within the middle plate I2 and snugly into the bore ofthe corresponding cylindrical socket i6, whereby relative parallel movement between the plates is prevented. The socket I6 and boss it extend perpendicularly inward from their respective plates I4 and I0 equal distances determined by the desired spacing between the confronting surfaces of the plates and terminate respectively in annular shoulders or abutment surfaces 24 `and 26 parallel to the plates and located around the bore of the socket member I6 and the base of the pintle 20 respectively, Fig. 3.

.By Vthe construction described thus iar, it is apparent that the middle plate I2 rests on the shoulders 26 in parallel spaced relation to the outertplate l0. Similarly themiddle plate I2 is maintained `in parallel spaced relation with the outer plate I4 by `abutment against the shoulders 24.

Separation'of the plates perpendicularly from each other is prevented in the present instance by a pair of sliding riders or selector members 28 and 38 extending perpendicularly to the plates, one ;at each opposed lateral edge of the case, Fig. 4. The two opposed outer lends of each rider 28, A3l! are provided with integral V-section in- Y ward v.extensions 32 overlapping and l:interlocking with adjacent V-section outer edge portions of ltheiplates Ill and I4 in sliding relation. The interior angle between each extension 32 .and the body fof the corresponding rider 28 or y30 comprises a longitudinally extending groove -or slideway 34 of V-section intertting with the aforesaid adjacent edge portions of Vthe plate 'I0 or I4, .asthe case might be. The sectional shape of the latter edge portions results rfrom a V- section groove or slideway S rinterfitting with each extension 32 .and provided longitudinally in the lateral outer 'surface of the appropriate plate `II) or I4. Thus riders 2li, 30 are vfreely slidable Yalong the slideways but are `.prevented lfrom lateral'separation from thefcase'by'reason of their interengagementwith the edges vof theplates -Iii and 14. The latter in Iturn are held lagainst separation by interengagement with the overlapping extensions 32 ci the riders 2S, 30. For reasons to be made apparent hereinafter, ltheextent of sliding movement of the riders 28, 30 is limited vby termination of the slideways 36 at opposite ends short of the endmost interengaging spacers I8, I8, Fig. l. As indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, manipulation of the riders 28, 3U is facil- .socket .members itated by reason of their knurled lateral surfaces.

The cylindrical socket members I6 and bosses I8 are of substantially equal diameters and are adapted to extend freely through the usual opening provided in the handle portion of a conventional key as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. Likewise the spacing between each pair of confronting surfaces of the plates aiorded by the members IS, I8 is determined so that a key pivotally mounted on `either of these members will swing freely to and from positions between the plates. The key case in the present instance Vis particularly adapted to contain four keys, as

for exampleV the two keys 38 and 40 pivotally mounted on one of each of the two endmost IB for swinging between the plates I2 and I4 andthe two keys 42 and 44 pivotally mounted on one of each of the two endmost cylindrical bosses I8 for swinging between the plates I0 and I2.

Preferably, the Akeys 33 and 40 are arranged on their respective ypivot mountings I6 with their opera-ting portions extending .toward each other in :lapping relation and spaced yby Ythe intermediate socket member I6. Thus when freed for outward swinging by suitably positioning :the riders `28 andfB-as described hereinafter, the keys 38 and di! may be selectively swung laterally outward in opposite ydirections from each otherfto useful or operative positions. The keys 42 and lil are similarly pivotally lmounted on their cy iindrical bosses i8 for swinging laterally outward in opposite directions 4from eachother, but the operating portions of these keys vare prefer-- ably separated by the intermediate boss I8 so that outwardswinging of the `keys 38 and Y42 will be in opposite directions. Similarly outward swinging of the keys .-40 Aand 441 will also vbe in opposite directions from eachother. It will be apparent that the specific yarrangement .of the keys illustrated is not essential, although certain advantages are achieved if each key swings `laterally koutward from the-case oppositely to both the companion key mounted between the :same two plates and the-key coaxiallyV mountedbetweenthe other two plates. Many vadvantages of the present invention will be obtained using lmore or less than two riders, ormore or less `than three parallel plates. Likewise the preferred rectangular plan of the case may be modified where desired withoutdeparting fromthe spirit vof .the invention. Y

It .-is apparent from .the :foregoing that when the riders or selectors 218 and l3i) are located at positions approximately intermediate the Ypivot axes rfor the keys, fi. e. substantially opposite the central spacer I6, IB, all Vof the keys will be retained within the case against outward swinging. Upon sliding the selector 28, as for example leftward as illustrated, to the limit of longitudinal :movement permitted by the slideways 3d, the =key `ill is -freed to Vswing outward from between the plates I0 and I2 to an operative position. The keys-40 and 42 will ofcourse be retained between the rider 30 andthe corresponding members I6 and I8. The .key 38 is prevented vby abutment with .the rider or selector 28 from `swinging `to an operative :position ieven `though a Alimited outward Vswinging of that key rmight -be possible.

The other keys vmay similarly be selectively loeatedbymoving the riders 28, 30 Ato other positions. .For `example the key 3.8 will be released for outward .swinging -Yupon moving the .rider '23 to vthe right beyond .the swinging 'end o `the key 38.

s The keys 40 and 42 will be freed for outward swinging upon movement of the rider 30 to the left or right respectively beyond the swinging ends of these latter keys.

It is to be observed in this connection that the length of the slideways 36 is determined so that the selectors 28 and 30 may be moved in either direction beyond the tip of the swinging end of the key to be released, but not beyond either of the endmost spacer members I6, I8. Likewise,

the longitudinal spacing between the endmost pivot members I6, I8 is somewhat greater than` the swinging radius arm afforded by any key" for which the case is adapted, but is less than twice ,the smallest contemplated radius arm. Thus.: the middle spacer I6, I8 will serve as a stop for inward swinging of the keys, but the swinging end of the selected key will swing outwand clear of the corresponding rider 28 or 30 when the latter is at the limit of its longitudinal movement in a direction away from the pivot axis of the selected key.

The parallel plates I0, I2, I4 may be formed of any lightweight sheet material of suitable rigidity, as for example a thermoplastic or thermosetting plastic material, and are preferably suiciently resilient to permit the super-l imposed lateral edges of either side of the case to bel-sprung toward each other sufiiciently to disengage the riders 28 and 30 from their guideways 36.

tion or removal of the keys.

In order to facilitate orientation of the key case in the dark by touch, the outer surface ofA 'I'hus the case may be readily disas-l sembled and reassembled to permit the addi-` swinging relation, a pair of pivot means spacing the plates at locations spaced longitudinally of the case and being adapted to pierce the handle elements of the keys to hold the same in said swinging relation for swinging the keys laterally from between the plates to operative positions, and means engaging the outer plates to prevent separation thereof, the last means including a pair of slide members slidable along laterally opposed edges of the case to and from positions blocking lateral swinging of the keys to said operative positions.

2. In a key holder, a laminated case comprising three plates adapted to contain a pair of keys between each adjacent pair of plates in swinging relation, a pair of pivot means spacing the plates at locations spaced longitudinally of the case and being adapted to pierce the handle elements of the keys to hold the same in said swinging relation for swinging the keys laterally from between the plates to operative positions, movement limiting means intermediate said pair of pivot means to limit inward swinging of each key, and means detachably engaging the outer plates to prevent separation thereof, the last means including a pair of slide members slidable along laterally opposed edges of ,the case to and from positions blocking lateral swinging of the keys to said operative positions.

JOSEPH E. ROM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,493,689 Marcus May 13, 1924 1,666,776 Copp Apr. 17, 1928 1,669,945 Michailovsky May 15, 1928 1,886,110 Lippstadt Nov; 1, 1932 2,235,606 Calhoon Mar. 18, 1941 2,295,123 Mudrich Sept. 8, 1942 2,387,319 Evans Oct. 23, 1945 2,493,554 Simon Jan. 3, 1950 

